Business
Dilmah revives Rs. 2mn Ecovation award for second run
Theme: Sustainable Enviornmentally friendly Packaging and Resource efficiency
Dilmah, the well known Tea Brand, last week announced an attractive package of financial and other awards to inventors and innovators focusing on solutions for sustainable packaging, resource efficiency and waste management.
“In the backdrop of COVID-19 and the race towards limiting global warming to 1.5-degree Celsius, the world needs sustainable ideas and inventions to solve its looming problems. Therefore, Dilmah has brought back Ecovation awards for its second run. Themed “Sustainable Environmentally-friendly Packaging and Resource Efficiency”, Ecovation 2021 focuses on generating solutions for sustainable packaging, resource efficiency, and waste management,” a company news release explained.
It said the Awards present a perfect opportunity for anyone with a non-mainstream eco-innovation concept or working prototype to gain financial support and resources to take their innovation from concept to market or further develop their prototype into a commercial product.
“They will further receive legal support to protect their intellectual property. Another bonus is that winners will have an opportunity to introduce their innovations and ideas to the patron and general members of Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), comprising of blue-chip companies in the hopes of finding potential investors,” it said.
The overall prizes of the awards are valued at over 2 million. Due to COVID-19, the award rounds will take place in a virtual format, the news release said.
Submissions are open to anyone with a passion for sustainability and resource efficiency – including schoolchildren, undergraduates, postgraduates, grassroots organizations, academics, scientists, artists and, designers, it added.
Short-listed applicants will be given two months to build their prototype or present their concept. The final stage of Ecovation 2021 is slated for December and will be an exhibition where the winners will be chosen by an eminent judging panel.
The panel comprises Dr. Ilmi Hewajulige, Additional Director, R&D ITI, Ms. Padma Abeykoon, Director, Operational Focal Point Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Jeevan Gnanam, Founder/Group CEO of Saksglobal, Ms. Savera Weerasinghe, Ms. S. Yasarathne, and Prof. A. de Alwis.
The Ecovation award was first launched in 2016. This inaugural event showcased many Sri Lankan innovators. The top award recipients were B. G. Harsha Abeywardana (prototype winner) and K. K. L. Madusanka (concept winner). The former created a prototype of an eco-friendly method of using tea refuse from tea factories to produce items such as paper, cardboard, brick, pots, etc. The latter conceptualized a purified tank to clean invasive plant species infested waters. Category award winners were also chosen under blue economy, waste, water, and energy.
Ecovation Awards, a platform where budding eco-innovators can be empowered and recognised, is the brainchild of Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando. He believes that Sri Lanka is home to many talented innovators who just need the right support and guidance to help them maximise their potential.
“As a sustainable brand that constantly seeks solutions for solving local environmental issues at large, Dilmah, through Ecovation Awards, aims to promote and strengthen eco-innovations in Sri Lanka, the release said.
Ecovation Award 2021 application form now at https://www.dilmahconservation.org/eco-innovation-award-2021/ or email awards@dilmahconservation.org or call 011 482 2490 for inquiries.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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